University-wide roll-out of new printers
Monday, 20 July 2015
This week sees the start of the University-wide roll-out of new high quality, efficient printer devices. Wider roll-out follows a successful pilot installation in the Miller Building on Whiteknights campus, with staff describing the new devices as “a clear improvement”. The new machines are being installed in phases over the summer and communication will be sent via print champions and building managers.
Benefits
The new devices provide secure, confidential printing to any device on campus. Instead of printing to a single machine, you send your document to a central print queue and then use your University Campus Card, or IT log-in, to retrieve it via a convenient machine. This means there should be less impact caused by machine faults or a colleague with a large volume of printing to do – you simply find another nearby machine and use that.
By reducing the number of printers that are used across the University from approximately 1600 to 450, there are also financial, environmental and efficiency benefits. It is not sustainable to continue to run and support the number and variety of machines currently in use.
What happens next?
New machines will be installed in a phased implementation and after a two week settling in period, unsupported machines will be removed. Further information, including details of training available, will be communicated via local print champions and building managers at the appropriate time for each building.
Since these new devices will replace existing personal and individual desk-top printers, as well as current shared printers, the project board recognises that there will be a need for new ways of working and adjustment. We are grateful to everyone for their patience during and after this complex project and believe that the long-term benefits will be significant.
Exceptions process
Information about the exceptions process is being communicated directly to the individuals affected. All responses should have been issued by Friday 24th July. If you have not heard about your request by this date, please contact the Procurement team via procurement@reading.ac.uk
For more information about the project, including frequently asked questions, visit the print page on the procurement website - https://www.reading.ac.uk/closed/procurement/news/Proc-MPS.aspx